Press release

SILK WAY RALLY 2017: Two IVECO Trucks on the Podium of the Fourth Stage

​Excellent result for Team PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO in the first stage of the Silk Way Rally on Kazakh territory.

Gerard De Rooy closed the fourth stage in 2nd place with his new Powerstar, just 21 seconds behind the first, improving his position on the partial overall ranking to second.

Teammate Artur Ardavichus arrived third on board the other IVECO Powerstar, securing the third place in the general ranking.

#306 Ton Van Genugten finished the daily stage 15th because of a problem with a wheel.

On Kostanay-Astana stage (total distance 908.80 km of which 2 special stages of 373.40 km), the Silk Way Rally route entered Kazakhstan for the third time. Once again the breathtaking lakes and canyons, mountain plateaus and ravines challenged the racers, putting to the test their piloting skills and adaptability to surface conditions.

Gerard De Rooy #302 and Artur Ardavichus #310 were once again the men of the day: the PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team leader ran a perfect race, in which he decided to drive more safely and less fast in the second special because of the mud. He finished second with a short delay of 21 second and ahead of Kazakh pilot Ardavichus on board the other Powerstar. Artur, the new entry in the team, was at the finish line 1m56s.
A slippery passage nearly a little river created some problems with a wheel, costing Dutchman Ton Van Genugten precious time. He arrived 15th at the end of the Kostanay-Astana stage, which puts him in 10th position in the general ranking.

"It's my first experience in Silk Way Rally – said Henk Van Leuven, Manager of PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team – These first stages through Russia and Kazakhstan have been a good test for our IVECO trucks. In view of the next rally raids we need to understand the improvement we may need to make, and the Silk Way Rally is just right because is one of the greatest competitions in the world. So far the pilots are happy with the stages in Russia and the first one in Kazakhstan. What else? We are looking for good results…"

Today July 12th the competitors will be engaged in the leg that will take them from the Kazakh capital of Astana to Semey - a stage with big fast sections in the steppe. Navigation alone will be critical to reach the top rankings, as the road will take the racers through magnificent lakes and landscapes. Total distance: 876.39 km; special distance: 329.25 km.